commemoration of Women's Month and Day
8 August 2007
The Women's Month celebration is one of the flagship programmes of the
Commission on Gender Equality (CGE). As part of upholding gender equality as
mandated by South Africaâs Constitution and aimed also to commemorate
contributions women have made to society and their achievements, the CGE is
hosting countrywide events throughout August 2007. It has been established that
more women in provinces are unaware of legislation and accessing of
constitutional rights that protect them.
Thus it is important for the CGE to centre Women's Month celebrations on the
rights of women in the coal face. The celebrations run from 2 to 31 August
2007, and the full provincial calendar of events is available on http://www.cge.org.za. Highlights are:
KwaZulu-Natal: In partnership with the South African Human Rights Commission
(SAHRC), Office of the Public Protector and Association for Rural Advancement
(AFRA) will host "Open Day" activities where organisations and service
providers will be available to receive complaints on women's issues and offer
services, advice and support in addressing those issues.
Western Cape: The focus of August is on the establishment the
Provincial
Gender Machinery (PGM). Since March 2005 the CGE in partnership with the
Department of the Premier have had numerous working sessions on the roles an
functions of the Gender Machinery and have conducted broad consultations with
the Civil Society and Local Government (these included rural and urban areas)
in integrating theses structures in the PGM. Based on the needs of these
components as well as work undertaken with the other components, namely
government and parliament, since 2005 the following activities are to be
conducted in August Month. This is aimed at bringing the four components
together in a structured forum that is aligned with the national gender
framework policy.
In the Gauteng the focus during will be on road shows aimed at mapping out a
structured way forward for an office that is aligned with the CGE Act and the
National Gender Framework Policy. The road shows will specifically help
to:
* popularise the CGE newly established provincial office
* raise awareness in terms of the CGE's roles and functions
* identify needs and determine priorities of Women in the Province
* improve effectiveness of provincial coordination and to strengthen existing
gender structures
Eastern Cape: In a collaborative effort, province-based office of the CGE,
Office of the Public Protector and the South African Human Rights Commission
(SAHRC) will conduct joint workshops on the mandates of each Chapter nine
institution and avail their respective personnel to receive complaints from the
public on violation of their rights. The information sessions will target 200
participants to speak out against gender-based violence.
The CGE endorses the commemorative day and month under the national banner
of
"Emancipation, Empowerment, Equality and Eradication of Povertyâ¦.Now!" and
sends a reminder of the contribution women have made to society, and the
difficulties and successes they continue to encounter in securing their
rights.
Enquiries:
Yvonne Mogadime
CGE Communications
E-mail: yvonne@cge.org.za
Tel: 011 403 7182
Fax: 403-7188
Cell: 082 807 1767
Issued by: Commission on Gender Equality
8 August 2007
Source: Commission on Gender Equality (http:// www.cge.org.za)
